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Band break-ups can be traumatizing, no matter how they happen. Philip Bailey, whose high falsetto vocals were a key part of Earth, Wind & Fire during their most commercial years in the '70s and '80s, has frequently described the band's (temporary) dissolution, brought up during a 1983 band meeting by founder Maurice White, as one of the lower points of his career. Bailey's next moves could shape his trajectory as an artist for better or worse.

Of course, what happened over the rest of the decade helped solidify Bailey's reputation as an R&B force to be reckoned with - and for one shining moment, a tremendous force on the pop charts as a solo artist (with a little help from a famous collaborator). State of the Heart: The Columbia Recordings 1983-1988, a new 3CD set from Cherry Red's SoulMusic Records, will shine a comprehensive light on Bailey's first phase outside of Earth, Wind & Fire.

Available April 21, State of the Heart features Bailey's three solo LPs for Columbia in the '80s: 1983's Continuation, 1984's Chinese Wall and 1986's Inside Out. The set features eight bonus tracks, including rare dance remixes and a few soundtrack songs (including the cult classic "Twins," a duet with Little Richard). It's been produced and compiled by The Second Disc's own Mike Duquette and Joe Marchese, and will feature a brand-new essay by Mike on Bailey's solo career, utilizing insights from a new interview conducted with the singer. The package designed by John Sellards (in the style of SoulMusic's releases) includes some rare publicity photos from the Sony Music archives, and the discs have been remastered by Donald Cleveland.

As painful as the temporary hiatus of Earth, Wind & Fire was for Bailey, in discussing these albums he admits the band "wasn't the complete journey...I always had aspirations to do other things to continue to complete my overall vision for myself, and to grow. When you get away from home, you really find out who you are." And who he was, was a multi-faceted singer who honed his instrument in new ways on each album. Continuation found him teaming up with keyboard legend George Duke and a cast of great session musicians including rising bassist Nathan East, who Bailey still regards as a close friend. Lead single "I Know," which found him more formally introducing his non-falsetto voice into his work, was a Top 10 R&B hit.

With members of Earth, Wind & Fire cast in multiple directions, Chinese Wall reunited a few of them, thanks to the work of Phil Collins (an EWF superfan) in the producer's chair. The group's brass ensemble, the Phenix Horns, appear throughout, as does longtime engineer George Massenburg and even a co-write from percussionist Ralph Johnson. At the nucleus of it all is Bailey, East again on bass, keyboardist Lesette Wilson, and Collins at the drum kit with longtime guitarist Daryl Stuermer rounding out the group. Bailey, Collins and East co-wrote the last track to come together for the album; "Easy Lover" became a worldwide hit in 1985 (No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 1 in the U.K.), re-establishing Bailey outside the barriers of his former band and kicking off a banner year for Collins as a solo artist, from No Jacket Required to Live Aid and beyond.

Inside Out found Bailey joining forces with Nile Rodgers, fresh off his run of hits with David Bowie, Madonna and Duran Duran, for a varied affair that even at one point found Bailey presiding over an all-star jam session that included Rodgers, Duke, Collins, East, Ray Parker Jr. and Jeff Beck. Though lead single "State of the Heart," penned by electro-soul group The System, didn't match the success of "Easy Lover," it's still a notable chapter in Bailey's solo career before EWF's surprise reunion a year later.

State of the Heart: The Columbia Recordings 1983-1988 is an insightful look into the work of Philip Bailey outside of his most famous musical outfit, and it's yours to discover in just a few months. The full track list and pre-order links are below!

State of the Heart: The Columbia Recordings 1983-1988 (SoulMusic Records SMCR5209T (U.K.), 2023) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Cherry Red)

Disc 1: Continuation (Expanded Edition)

1. I Know
2. Trapped
3. It's Our Time (Duet with Deniece Williams)
4. Desire
5. I'm Waiting for Your Love
6. Vaya (Go with Love)
7. The Good Guy's Supposed to Get the Girls
8. Your Boyfriend's Back
9. I Know (Extended Dance Version)

Tracks 1-8 released as Columbia FC 38725, 1983
Track 9 released on Columbia 12" 44-04027, 1983

Disc 2: Chinese Wall (Expanded Edition)

1. Photogenic Memory
2. I Go Crazy
3. Walking on the Chinese Wall
4. For Every Heart That's Been Broken
5. Go
6. Easy Lover (Duet with Phil Collins)
7. Show You the Way to Love
8. Time is a Woman
9. Woman
10. Children of the Ghetto
11. Easy Lover (Extended Dance Remix) - Philip Bailey & Phil Collins
12. Walking on the Chinese Wall (Single Version)
13. Easy Lover (Single Version) - Philip Bailey & Phil Collins
14. Love is Alive

Tracks 1-10 released as Columbia FC 39542, 1984
Track 11 released on Columbia 12" 44-05160, 1984
Track 12 released on Columbia single 38-04826, 1985
Track 13 released on Columbia single 38-04679, 1984
Track 14 released on The Goonies - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Epic SE 40067, 1985

Disc 3: Inside Out (Expanded Edition)

1. Welcome to the Club
2. State of the Heart
3. Long Distance Love
4. Echo My Heart
5. Don't Leave Me Baby
6. Special Effect
7. Because of You
8. Back It Up
9. Take This with You
10. The Day Will Come
11. State of the Heart (Dub Mix)
12. Twins - Philip Bailey & Little Richard
13. Twins (Club Mix) - Philip Bailey & Little Richard

Tracks 1-10 released as Columbia FC 40209, 1986
Track 11 released on Columbia 12" 44-05372, 1986
Track 12 released on Twins - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - WTG Records SP 45036, 1988
Track 13 released on WTG 12" 41-08169, 1988